Worboys faces new sex assault allegation

John Worboys, the black cab rapist, could remain in custody after a new victim made allegations of sexual assault against him. The serial sex attacker was due to be released after the Parole Board decided he had served his sentence for rape, but the Metropolitan Police is now investigating a new claim of sexual assault against him, said to be from 1997. Although no arrest has been made, if Worboys were charged with a new crime it would be unlikely for him to be released from prison and instead would be held for a new trial.

JOHN WORBOYS could he kept behind bars after a new victim made allegations of sexual assault against him, it has emerged.

The serial sex attacker is currently in jail but is due to be released after the Parole Board decided he had served his sentence for rape.

But last night the Metropolitan Police announced it is investigating a new claim of sexual assault against him, said to be from 1997, and sources close to the case said there is strong evidence to back up the report. Experts believe Worboys was moved from Wakefield to Belmarsh prison to allow detectives in London better access to him in a bid to proceed with the new investigation swiftly.

Although no arrest has been made, if Worboys was charged with a new crime it is unlikely he would be released from jail, and would instead be held until trial.

Victims of the former London taxi driver have previously called for him to be banned from the Greater London area amid fears Worboys kept their addresses in a notebook and could potentially attack again when he is released.

They were left upset by the decision to move him to Belmarsh without explanation, but sources said it is likely this was to do with the new allegations which emerged last night.

In a statement the force said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is investigating an allegation of non-recent sexual assault which was reported to police in January 2018. The incident is reported to have taken place in 1997.

“Enquiries by officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command are ongoing. There are no arrests.”

Although Worboys’ release has been granted, he remains behind bars until his licence conditions are agreed.

He had been due to be free by the end of this month, but following a public outcry, sources close to the case said every effort was being made to slow the process down, including by consulting widely with victims and other interested groups.

Harry Fletcher of the Victims Rights Campaign said: “One of the principle reasons for moving Worboys to Belmarsh was to allow the police to have quick access to interview him about new allegations without having to travel to Wakefield.

“We expect the lawyers to ask that he remain in custody until such time as the Judicial Review proceedings are concluded, which could take many months.”

The announcement came as David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, revealed he wrote to authorities two weeks ago to ask them to consider whether Worboys should be banned from Greater London as a condition of his release.

Victims had been left frustrated that Mr Gauke did not demand the geographical ban himself, but the Justice Secretary is understood to have been left frustrated that he should be seen not to play a formal role in the setting of licensing conditions.

An anonymous victim said: “I’m not surprised that another person has come forward. I’m sure Worboys has many, many more victims. I hope now the Met will treat this extremely seriously and that more people might yet come forward. I’d urge other victims to do so.”